Festival 2017 Musical Highlights

Mar 17, 2017 926

BY: Maria Berry

The NM Italian Film & Culture Festival. It’s not just about Italian movies. It’s about the whole fabric of contemporary Italian culture, including the cuisine, the wine, the traditions, the iconic Italian automotive design (don’t miss those Fiats and Alfa Romeos on display!) - AND it’s about one of the major cultural markers of Italian national and ethnic identity…THE MUSIC.

This year, Italian music will be front and center in the 10th anniversary edition of the NM Italian Film & Culture Festival – everything from pop and traditional favorites to opera.

On Tuesday, March 21, L’inaugurazione (Opening Night) features Absolutely Evergreen, the simpaticissimo duo of Donatella Davanzo and Ennio Fermo singing Italian fun songs, love songs and sing-along songs that will have you wanting more. You’ll recognize Donatella as the festival’s official photographer – which she is. You’ll recognize Ennio as a member of the acclaimed Coro Illersberg di Trieste – which he was; and a current member of the wonderful Albuquerque Coro Luz – which he is. Who knew that this engaging couple has performed for countless events in their native Trieste, Italy? Charming and unforgettable!

And just when you can’t stop humming the tunes of Absolutely Evergreen, along comes Friday night’s Brindiamo! (Let’s Toast!) event, March 24, with special guest performer Gabriele Elli. Gabriele started singing at 10, falling in love with Elvis’ songs and performances at 13, and impersonating Elvis at 17. Gabriele returns to Italy once or twice a year to sing professionally with his live band. But his passion is impersonating Elvis, which he will do for us during Brindiamo! as The Italian Elvis, with anything “The King” ever sang that could be translated into Italian – sideburns, jumpsuit, bling and all. You’ll marvel at the voice that earned him a place among the top 5 in an international Elvis contest. Not to be missed!

Sunday’s Gran Finale Dinner Experience at Scalo Northern Italian Grill on March 26 welcomes sensational opera singers, Erskine Maytorena and Kimberly Robinson. A graduate of the Conservatory of Luxembourg, Erskine has sung opera, Broadway musicals and tango throughout Europe, the US and Canada. Soprano Kimberly Robinson studied at The Royal College of Music, London. She performs internationally as well as locally with QTango, Opera Unlimited and the New Mexico Philharmonic. Think of it as the musical side dish of another fabulous Scalo dinner experience. The thrilling, fully-focused voices of Erskine and Kimberly will surely close Festival 2017 on a musical high note!

FESTIVAL EVENT TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON-LINE OR BY PHONE FROM HOLD MY TICKET
http://italianfilmfest.org/films_events.html 505-886-1251 / toll free 877-466-3404

SOURCE: Italy in NM

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